Senna Leaves 

Uses/Benefit:The Senna plant is a small shrub belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family. Senna known as the Cassia Angustifolia. Senna is widely cultivated in southern and eastern parts of India.

The shrub normally grows up to a height of three feet and has light green stalks. The plant bears grayish-green colored leaves that are very delicate. In addition, the herb bears oblong shaped pods or fruit cases. The leaves as well as the pods of the plant have therapeutic use.Senna Leaf Tea is a potent cathartic and hence cannot be taken in excess dosages, unlike any other tea. excessive use of Senna Leaf Tea may lead to sudden and intense stomach as well as abdominal pains. Since, the taking tea may also result to abdominal cramping; it is advisable to take Senna with cinnamon.

The best way to take the herb is to taking tea. This is supposed to be the safest and most effective way for the elderly people to get rid of their insistent constipation and they may very well expect the desired results within a few hours of taking Senna leaf tea. Alternatively, one may take a cold tea prepared with the Senna leaf tea. To prepare the tea, add one teaspoonful of Senna Leaf Tea along with one teaspoonful of cinnamon bark to one pint of boiling water. Seethe the substance for approximately five minutes in a covered vessel. Filter the liquid and drink two cups of the tea daily for effective results.

The best use of Senna Leaf Tea is in anal fissure or a pathological division in the anus. Senna Leaf Tea is a potent cathartic or purgative that is mainly used to cure constipation. The tea works by invigorating muscle contractions in the intestines. Chemical analysis of Senna has revealed that the herb contains anthraquinone glycosides such as sennosides, aloe-emodin and rhein, flavones, tartaric acid, beta-sitosterol, mucin, essential oils, resin and tannin. Sennosides present in Senna aggravate the lining in the large intestines resulting to peristaltic action or the contraction of the intestinal muscles and eventually leading to exodus of the bowels. In addition, albeit for a short term, Senna is also useful in preventing the fluid present along with the ingested food to be soaked up by the large intestine and this helps in keeping the stool soft and subsequently alleviating constipation.

Action : 
Sennosides:
1. It specifically influences large intestinal motility and show purgative action. 
2. It influences both colon motility as well as colon secretion.
3. It shows good intestinal mucosa tolerance.
4. It significantly decreases net water and Na+ absorption and enhanced net K+ secretion.